The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1887-07-16

greatness. Minds such as those
of which | am speaking, and
the world is full Of them, arc
like the ignitcd magazine, terri:
&c in their explosions, but over
thrown by their own violence.
Whlo true greatness resembles
the law Of grayitation, ever oper-
atlng with an unaltcrable and in
conceivable power It is no I'M
common thing to see men shrink
ing from duty because they have
not moral courage to act indc-
pendent of popular feeling; and
yet, under the impulse Of some
sudden passion, dashing off with
great energy to perform what they
should deliberately have done.
prompted only by the love Of JUS
tiee and right action. But there
can be no true independence in
any of these impulsive efforts.
independence is characterized by
a boIdor, loftier, nobler spirit.
Again, a reliance upon what
many cull fate OF destiny is not
independence. Many seem to
think they arc the peculiar favor-
tics Of fortune, and that sho has
determined to lead thom on TO 4
successful pre-. cmincnce. This
gives them that arrogance and
seIf-importance which arc 80 fire.
quently mistaken for indepen-
dcnce Of mind. Though this
false notion will sometimes load
to reckless daring, yet there IS no
magnanmity or real greatness in
il. 1t is often dictorial,
Ishmcalitish mind, depending up
On no deep and latent resources
within ltseIf-unable to elaborate
truth, Or in any great emergency
to decide with promptness or to
act with energy. individuals in
spired by this mistaken view Of
their own characters, will some
times, however, astonish the
world by the bolducss Of their
movements and the brilliaucy Of
their career; but when a reycr-
sion of their fortune dissipates
| the illusion-having no garnercd
treasures of wisdom ard knowi-
edge to supply the place Of their
impulsive confidence il propilious
fate, they at once sink into their
own native littlene9s and insigni-
ficance.
In the hour Of peril and Of sad
| reversion, such persons find they
have no independence in cool, do
liberatc planning. no fixed, IN
trepid vaior ia execution, no
magnanimous indllieren to
the triumphs Of others over their
misfortunes, and no power to re-
act from that nadir tD which a
succession Of calamities has crush
ed them. But that independence
that controlling element which We
should seek, will, like "the rud-
der's guidance and the curb's re-
straint,' control the actions and
eyovcrn fhn wholn life of everv
true man.
1t then, my young friends, you
are struggling TO succeed, even
struggling TO be great "a noble
puIpose) cultivate independence
Of mind, for you can never do
either without it.
1t was this independence which
carried Redin in sublime majesty
through the most eminent perils
to the highest honors of his coun-
try, and saved Switzerland from
torrents Of blood Luther at the
Diet of Worms, and Cromwell al
the battle Of Naseby, are noble
specimens of this character.
II is Plato's own testimony,
that his independence and faith
fulness in his counscls TO Dion
"opened the way for the subycr-
sion of tyranny, and the Liberties
of mankind. =
Fix then, fix this habit now
| For, if you leave these colleg'
walls, or if you commence life
the mere children of circumstan'
ces and not Of purpose, YOU viii
never bp likely to attain any On,
viable distinction in any profes
sion. This noble element of Z
great and useful character is made
UP of integrity, fnnness, con
viction and celebration. TO binC
these 10 one controlling principle
requires unwearied effort, pa
tient repltition and protracteC
trial. But you can at length rive
them immoyably together, anc
make them the anchor which vii
hold you steadily TO any purpos'
you may choose.
Select, then your profession
your line of literary advancement
now and on that. and that alone